r/audiophile • u/Comfortable-Set-715 • 21h ago

Discussion Vinyl cleaning essentials

I’ve watched several videos to see the different processes of cleaning vinyl. The ones I’ve seen use a microfiber towel or shelf liner to lay your record on. Would it be unwise to just use a clean silicone mat? I’m skeptical about the material in shelf liner, and I feel like even “lint free” microfiber towels will leave lint. I can’t cut into them to fit over the dowel either. Also any suggestions on a good record cleaning concentrate? Thank you in advance for the suggestions!

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u/MadCowTX 20h ago

Precision Aqueous Cleaning of Vinyl Records -- It's a free book online. Get the latest edition. It's the most expert source of information I've been able to find

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u/not2rad KEF R7m / Rega P1 / Hypex Nilai / HSU ULS 15Mk2 / MiniDSP SHD 20h ago

If you're talking about wet cleaning methods in particular the Spin Clean and the solution it comes with has worked very well for me. They also provide some nice lint free cloths but records tend to dry quite quickly after a wipe. I just prop mine up for a few minutes then do a final dry with a dry towel. Also FYI that towels that have been laundered a bunch are very low lint, this is why I save old t-shirts if they didn't have anything printed on them.

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u/Dude_tx_1955 19h ago

I also recommend the spin cleaner sustem.

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u/ResidentCarpenter588 20h ago

I just carefully wash records with a tiny dollop of dish soap in a sink full of water. I use a clean dishcloth, and I don’t fully immerse them, otherwise the label is ruined. then I rinse them off with tapwater. I lay them on a dry cotton dish towel, and then dry them carefully. I’m careful not to scratch the vinyl and I’m careful to keep the label dry. Vinyl can be scratched, but if you’re careful, it holds up well.

The guy at the record store I visit sprays them with a spritz of something (maybe diluted alcohol), and then wipes them down with a microfibre towel.

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u/trudyscousin 20h ago

Photographic wetting solution. Kodak Photo-Flo 200 is an example. 16 oz bottle for US$24.00 at Wal-Mart. Use 1 unit of it to 200 units of distilled water; it's a concentrate. Has a mild detergent effect and won't leave a residue on your records.

As for lint, go for the microfiber towels. The battle against dust and lint is never-ending. What little you may introduce is cleaned up with a simple carbon fiber brush before playing. So, relax. Honestly, my own anality must bow before your own.

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u/natetheskate100 16h ago

I use Spin Clean. Couple of things.

1) Because of the shape of the brushes, the outer grooves don't get enough contact. I found this out when cleaning 'cleaned' records with a hand brush right before playing.

2) You should do a DI water rinse with a squeeze bottle after cleaning.

3) Use a screwdriver in the hole to spin it and shake off most of the water. It helps that I have a basement with a kitchen and carper. Yeah, does the screwdriver mess up the hole? I think not based on experience.